Shows
Story of Chandigarh10. The Museum ComplexIn today’s episode, we talk about the Museum Complex in Sector 10 - the various buildings and typologies, and the process of translation in Corbusian design thinking. We explore the evolution of the concepts of the Museum of Inifinite growth, the Mundaneum and the miracle box. We compare the relationship between the College of Art and the Museum and also discuss the calmness of the museum complex as compared to the Capitol. TIMESTAMPS: 1:27 - How was the Museum Complex sited? How does it relate to the urban plan and the g...
2025-03-0752 min
Story of Chandigarh9. The Open Hand & Other MonumentsIn this episode, we explore the monuments of the Capitol Complex - their meanings, functions and origins. We critique the symbolism of the Open Hand and its present-day transformation and overuse as a symbol. We also briefly discuss the mythical status of Chandigarh in the architectural imagination. TIMESTAMPS: 1:10 - What might be the reason behind the lack of literature around the monuments in the Capitol Complex? 2:13 - What are the different monuments? 3:16 - The missing sculptures of the Martyr’s Memorial ...
2025-02-0737 min
Story of Chandigarh8. The Governor's Palace and the Museum of KnowledgeIn this episode, we explore the missing building(s) of the Capitol Complex - the Governor’s Palace and the Museum of Knowledge. We explore the formal brilliance of the Governor’s Palace and Corbusier’s idea of the museum. We also talk about the mythical status of Chandigarh in the west and the possibility of reinterpreting the program of the museum of knowledge. TIMESTAMPS: 1:16 - What was the initial thinking behind the Governor’s Palace and why was the project scrapped. 3:59 - Corb’s practice of co...
2025-01-0546 min
Story of Chandigarh7. The AssemblyIn this episode, we explore the Assembly building in Chandigarh. We discuss the evolution of its design, examining how it became the focal point of the Capitol Complex. We also critique the sculptural form of the building and the symbolic significance of the painted enamel door. TIMESTAMPS: 1:07 - Why does the Assembly building seem to be in the centre of the Capitol? Was this always the case? 3:51 - How did the scrapping of the Governor’s Palace change the design and significance of the Assembly?
2024-12-0337 min
Story of Chandigarh6. The SecretariatIn the sixth episode, we explore the Secretariat building. We discuss Corbusier’s transformation of the building, its Excel spreadsheet architecture, its oceanliner-like quality, and its potential for infinite expansion. We also highlight the uniqueness of its ramps and roof garden. TIMESTAMPS: 1:48 - The original ‘UN style’ vertical design and the current ‘Unité-esque’ form and orientation of the Secretariat building. 5:02 - The Capitol Complex as Corbusier’s playground. 7:28 - Analogy of the Writers’ Building in Calcutta - Secretariat as a bureaucratic machine. 11...
2024-11-0239 min
Story of Chandigarh5. The High CourtIn the fifth episode, we’ll talk about the High Court, the first building to be constructed within the Capitol Complex. We discuss its likeness to an umbrella, its weightlessness and the experience of the uncanny. We also discuss the interiors and specifically the tapestries of the high court as well as Corbusier’s flexible approach to executing his vision. TIMESTAMPS: 1:19 - Why was the High Court the first building to come up? 1:50 - The ‘umbrella’ analogy: visual, literary, mythological 5:35 - Making it look structu...
2024-10-0252 minStory of Chandigarh4. The Capitol ComplexIn the fourth episode, we discuss the implications of the UNESCO Heritage designation for the Capitol Complex on Chandigarh. We discuss Corbusier's process of siting the Capitol and its connection to cubism and the cosmos. We also talk about the intentionally open-ended quality of the Capitol Complex and how it relates to the future of citizenry and a faith in the nation's future. TIMESTAMPS: 1:08 - The UNESCO Heritage Tag for the Capitol Complex and its consequences. Which parts of the city were included and why wasn’t the whole city included?
2024-09-0254 min
Story of Chandigarh3. The MasterplanIn this episode, we will talk about the development of the Chandigarh masterplan. We will look at the design strategy behind the streets, the philosophy of the sector and the role of 'mistakes' in the masterplan. We'll also learn how Corbusier paid homage to the Mayer-Nowicki plan as well as the anthropomorphic nature of the Chandigarh plan. Finally, we'll briefly discuss the placement of the Capitol Complex and the Sukhna Lake. TIMESTAMPS: 1:13 - What was the thinking behind the zig-zag arrangement of the sectors? Where is sector 13? 4:59 - Th...
2024-09-0148 min
Story of Chandigarh2. Building Chandigarh: Assembling the Capital Project TeamIn this episode we will talk about how the Chandigarh Capital Project team was selected. When did Corbusier and Jeanneret enter the picture and how was the rest of the team assembled? Who were the people displaced by Chandigarh and where did the labourers involved in the city's construction come from? We will also discuss the team's heirarchy and how the work was divided amongst them. TIMESTAMPS: 1:07 - How and when did Le Corbusier become a part of the team? 3:23 - Was the idea of a competition eve...
2024-07-0145 minStory of Chandigarh1. From Partition to Utopia: The Birth of ChandigarhIn our first episode, join us as we explore the origins of the modernist city of Chandigarh, with Dr. Vikramāditya Prakāsh. How did the partition of India and Pakistan lead to its creation? Who were the idealized inhabitants of this utopian city? How was the site selected? What was the Garden City movement, how does it relate to Nehruvian modernism? TIMESTAMPS: 1:07 - Why Chandigarh? The need for a new capital city of Punjab in post partition India. 5:24 - Nehru, modernist and industrialisation; modernism architecture as a global movement 9:42 - British Colonia...
2024-05-3138 min